Microsoft BizSpark - Microsoft BizSpark is a global program that helps software startups succeed by giving them access to Microsoft software development tools, connecting them with key industry players, including investors, and providing marketing visibility to help entrepreneurs starting a business. Microsoft BizSpark is a worldwide partner of the Founder Institute, providing software, support, facilities, and mentoring to many entrprenuers within the Fouder Insitute network. Learn more about our partnership here, and sign-up for BizSpark here.

Clifford Chance is one of the world's leading law firms, with 33 offices* in 23 countries and some 3,200 legal advisers. www.cliffordchance.com

Sanoma Media is a media company that crosses frontiers, with her expertise, creativity and appealing content Sanoma creates the right context for advertisers to achieve their objectives. Sanoma Media Netherlands B.V. is a part of the Sanoma Group, an European mediagroup operating in several media sectors in twenty countries www.sanomamedia.nl

V-Ventures is a holding company with a portfolio of Dutch investments geared towards news- and information supply and management www.v-ventures.nl

What Happened When I Brought Silicon Valley to My City

According to Medellin and Bogota FI director, Alan Colmenares, since launching in Colombia in 2011, the Founder Institute has had a profound impact on the local startup ecosystem. With the help of experienced mentors and dedicated founders, the Silicon Valley based program has helped launch over 20 new companies in Colombia, creating new jobs and inspiring innovation country-wide.

Alan recently talked about his experience leading the Founder Institute in this post on his blog, Tropical Gringo. From establishing fruitful partnerships to increasing the number of female-led companies (his most recent class was 25% female), Alan touts the Institute as a vehicle to change the world - one company at a time.

Click here to read Alan's thoughts on directing the Colombia Founder Institute (available in English and Spanish), and watch the video below (Spanish) to get a better idea of what FI is all about.

The Founder Institute is the world's largest entrepreneur training and startup launch program, helping aspiring founders across the globe build enduring technology companies. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 50 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 1,550 companies in 6 years. The company's mission is to "Globalize Silicon Valley" and build sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.